After losing several games this week due to poor weather conditions, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes came out of the box a little rusty in the opening game against the Bethany Swedes on Friday at Matson Field. Bethany picked up a 7-1 win in the first game, and after shaking off the rust the Coyotes rallied for a 6-3 win in the second game to split the series opening doubleheader with the Swedes.

Wesleyan hadn't played since last Friday against McPherson, losing five games earlier in the week because of adverse weather conditions that have upset spring sport schedules across the region all season long.

Bethany jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opener on Evan Solimon's RBI single and another run scoring hit by Jon Suda. Wesleyan managed a single in the bottom of the first and was held without another hit until the fifth when Chad Zuniga led off the frame with a single. Bryce Basinger drove in Wesleyan's only run of the opener reaching on an error with one out that allowed Thomas Conaway to score.

The Swedes blew the game open in the top of the sixth with five runs. Christian Ornelas drove in three runs with a homerun during the inning.

Aaron Heiland and Zuniga had Wesleyan's only hits in the game. Connor Freeman took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Three other pitchers saw action in the game for the Coyotes.

Neither team mustered a lot of offense in the second game, but the Coyotes were incredibly efficient at putting runs on the board, scoring six times on just five hits as they rallied for a 6-3 win for the split.

Bethany jumped out to an early lead, scoring once in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. Wesleyan answered back in the bottom of the second with a solo homer to left to cut the Swedes' lead in half at 2-1. The Coyotes added three more in the third as Kyle Story walked with the bases loaded to force in a run and Zebe drove in two more runs with a 2-run single.

The Coyotes weren't done putting runs on the board until the fourth inning. Levi DeBold executed a squeeze bunt for one run in the frame and Heiland had a sacrifice fly to bring in the second run of the frame.

Bethany added a run in the seventh, but the Coyotes were already firmly in control.

Zebe had two of Wesleyan's five hits and drove in three runs in the second game, while Brandon Ramsey went the distance on the hill, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out one, needing only 70 pitches to go the distance.

The two teams are back at it on Saturday in Lindsborg. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., at Bethany's Anderson Field. Wesleyan returns home on Tuesday to host MidAmerica Christian, hopefully at Dean Evans Stadium before starting a weekend series with Tabor next Friday and Saturday.